1-3. PARTS OF DENTAL HAND INSTRUMENTS

There are four parts of a hand instrument (figure 1-1). The longest part is the handle where the dentist holds the instrument when using it. The shank joins the handle and a blade or nib. A cutting instrument has a blade and a cutting edge, whereas a non-cutting instrument has a nib and a face or point. There are identifying numbers on the handles of each instrument, and these numbers must be used when the instruments are requisitioned from the supply section.